“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer 29:11-12; KJV). God only has good thoughts about us not evil ones. His thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered and very precious. (Ps 139:17; Ps 40:5) Just think about that as an individual, God thinks about you all day and night, because he does not sleep (Ps 121:4).

He had you in mind when he sent Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16). He thinks of you as his precious child; accepted just the way you are (1 John 3:2). We are his masterpiece (Eph 2:10). God sees you healed whole and healthy because he is the Lord that heals you (Ex 15:26). He doesn’t think about your sins as he has forgiven you and he only sees you in Christ (2 Cor 5:21).

His thoughts toward you are pure love. (Rom 5:8) Our Heavenly Father thinks of ways to bless and provide for you (Matt 6:31-33). He sees you mighty and strong, victorious and his minister of reconciliation (Eph 6:10; 1 Cor 15:57; 2 Cor 5:18). God knows the day he will receive you to glory in heaven (Ps 139 :16). God’s thoughts toward you rise to great joy, love; approval and satisfaction when he sees and hears you worship, praise and thank him (2 Chron 5:13-14; Ps 22:3). Now that should set your day right.

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

Sometimes we can read things in the Bible and give mental ascent but never quite realize the impact or importance to us or God. God desires us to walk in fear or awesome respect and humility before him and to put him first in our lives. (Eccl 8: 12-13; 1 Peter 5:6-7) He wants us to realize that all we are and have, comes from him, not from our own efforts or resources (James 1:17). As we humble ourselves before him in respect. we allow him to open his hand to bless us and work in our lives (Acts 9:31).

This is illustrated for us very graphically by God’s dealings with King Nebuchadnezzar and one of his successors, King Belshazzar, in the Old Testament (Daniel, Chapters 4 and 5). The Prophet Daniel interpreted a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar. Because the King was lifted up in pride and did not acknowledge God as the source of his greatness and power, the dream showed that the king would be humbled as a beast in the field until he recognized God as his source. The king heard Daniels words but took no head until the dream came to pass; only then did he recognize God and praise Him.

God sent a hand to write on the wall of Belshazzar’s banquet hall. Even though Daniel translated the words written, that warned of the king’s imminent demise, the king did not appear to heed them. The king was killed that very night as he did not fear God and give him honor. These stories should get our attention.

We don’t live in Old Testament times but in the New Testament age of grace. However, when God talks about our being humble and having an awesome respect of him and how this allows him to open his hands to bless us, he means it, this is a principle of God.

Read, study, meditate, understand, God’s word, the results are awesome.

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 A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

David had been anointed to be King over Israel instead of King Saul; Saul had disobeyed God. David had to wait many years before he actually became king. King Saul tried hard to find David and kill him.

For a period of time David lived amongst the Philistines, out of Saul’s reach. David prepared his men to go to war for the Philistine king but the lords of Philistia rejected him (1 Sam 16-30). On returning to his home town he discovered that the Amalekites had burned his city and carried away all of the women and children. His men, in great distress and grief, were ready to stone David. However, notice what David did he: “encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam 30:6; KJV).

David consulted with his God (v8) and God instructed him to pursue the Amalekites. In so doing, David won a great victory and recovered all his people and belongings, plus a great deal of spoil from his enemies.

What is the point in all of this? Well, for me it is the contrast between the despair of David’s men and David’s resolute trust in God. No wonder God called David: “a man after mine own heart” (Acts 13:22). So often our first response to the challenges of life is despair but the word tells us to: “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). As God brought victory for David, so he will for us his children; nothing is impossible for God (Luke 18:27).

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

I was reading 1 Timothy chapter 4 and verses 12-16 (KJV) the other day and was struck by Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to be an example to the believers and to let his progress in the faith be evident to all.

The passage lists several ways in which Timothy was to do this. In verse 12 we are told that we are to be an example by our words or what comes out of our mouth. I am amazed sometimes by what I hear come out of the mouths of Christians and even my own mouth. Our words reflect what is in our heart (Matt 15:18). We need to guard our words and make sure they bring life (Pr 18:21) and are full of faith. (Mark 11:23) Timothy was exhorted to be an example in love (charity); this is Gods cardinal command to us (John 15:17). We are to love others as much as we love God (Matt 22:37-40).

The new spirit inside us (John 3:3-6), illuminated by the Spirit of God (Rom 9:1), should shine out of us in all we do, in our conduct. Our faith should be evident to all and an example and encouragement to others.

Finally, in verse 12, Paul tells us we should be an example in purity. God calls us to purity in thought, speech and action. Purity is to be without blemish or contamination. This all sounds like a tall order but Paul in our passage indicates how we can move in the right direction (verses 13-16). He talks about doctrine, the word of God, and our need to read study and meditate it. We are to give attention to it, give ourselves entirely to it and continue in it; get the idea?

In verse 16 we are told that our efforts will result in our growth and maturation as Christians and our ability to walk in all God has for us.

Sounds good to me.

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

In Matthew 10:25 (KJV), Jesus told his disciples that: "it is enough for the disciple to be as his master". And who is the master? Jesus, of course, so that is our aim - to be like him.

Paul said in Gal 4:19: "I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you". The Greek word for "formed" means an inward change; it has nothing to do with outward appearance. Paul also said in 1 Cor 11:1: "be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ". In 1 John 4:17 we are told that we are to be like Jesus in this world. In addition, in Ephesians 5:1 we are told to follow and imitate God.

The question is how do we do this? We get a clue in 2 Cor 3:18. In this verse, the Apostle Paul teaches us that as we behold Christ’s glory, as we fellowship with him in the word, we are changed or transformed into God's image by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is doing a work in us as we continue to behold Jesus and receive revelation or understanding of his word. As we see by faith how God wants to change us and all he wants us to be and do, then that allows the Holy Spirit to bring these things to pass in our lives.  We may not be aware of it but our light is continuing to shine more brightly (Prov 4:18) the more time we spend in his presence.

We grow to imitate the Teacher.

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com